Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
The Department further told us that it had entered into a contract worth around £8...
Conclusion
The Department further told us that it had entered into a contract worth around £8 million with Arup, a professional services company, to provide towns with specific expertise in areas such as real estate valuation. The Department described the efficiency benefits it envisages in such an arrangement, whereby towns will access consultancy services centrally so that they do not have to look for that consultancy support separately.40
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
5.2 Local areas understand best what they need to grow and thrive. Nevertheless, the department shares the Committee’s concern that some areas might need additional support to fully develop their plans and have taken steps from the outset to address this. Since launching the Towns Fund, the department has worked directly with towns, supporting them as they established Town Deal Boards and developed their Town Investment Plans. Every town has a named contact in the department to provide ongoing guidance and support, and each local area has received capacity funding to develop their plans. The Towns Fund Delivery Partner, Arup and consortium, have also provided additional support. 5.3 As part of the established investment process for Town Investment Plans, the department carries out a thorough review of town’s capacity to deliver, and the deliverability of the plan itself. All projects are also subject to full business case assessment, normally carried out by the lead local authority. 5.4 Even with the best of these endeavours some places may continue to struggle, and the department will continue to take further steps to support these areas. Through this ongoing support, the department confident that towns can make a success of Town Deals and create a better future for their communities. 5.5 The department will provide an annual update to the Committee on the progress of the Towns Fund, including an assessment of towns’ capacity to successfully deliver their plans.